Started our trip at approx 0800 on Saturday morning, We were the only cars in the lot at the trailhead. The trail was reasonably dry for the time of year. About halfway up we started seeing a significant amount of snow on the ground. A bit further and we were into at least 2 feet. The trail was well defined though, someone had been there before us. The view of the surrounding peaks was spectacular!!! Reached the lake in about 2 hours (we take alot of time to look around) there was a snowman there to greet us at the lake side. The lake was still frozen and covered in snow, the pristine white and the sparkles in the snow take the breath away. After having a bite to eat and enjoying the sun, we headed back down. We started to encounter other hikers at that point. Wonderful start to the hiking season!

Five miles from the trailhead and it starts to rain. It also seems to be snowing at 1000 feet. So off we go, jumping many downpour inspired creeks. We also saw many waterfalls along the way. Solid snow coming down above 1500 feet. Just a few inches on the ground at first, almost a foot of fresh at the lake where it was snowing very hard. Heard an avalanche on the other side of the lake. The only wildlife was an American Dipper at the lake outlet. The lake is completely frozen over. I guess the spring melt is not under way just yet. We had a blast, with only my wimpy winter calf muscles paying the price. We did see the requisite two fools in jeans, no coats, and no packs stomping through the snow.

There is one windfall about a quarter mile in. The trail is otherwise in very good condition. The big windfall that blocked the trail has been sawn through, so the detour to the uphill side is no longer required. Snow covers the trail beginning at 2340 feet, after the trail leaves the open slope. The lake is 80% iced and there is about 2 to 3 feet of snow.

Trail in perfect condition. Snow level was 2300' on 2/14/98. (Trails end at Lake 22 is 2400'). Lake 22 is a highly scenic lake in a dramatic cirque. About the best scenery you can get for an elevation this low. Terrain is pleasant -- old growth forest with many large western redcedars.

Hey, just because its raining doesn't mean you can't have a nice hike! When I arrived at the Lake 22 trailhead mine was the only car there. I had a crew on this trail last month and I was anxious to see how our work was holding up. It was really satisfying to see water blasting through un-clogged drainage ditches and culverts and slamming into new waterbars before fleeing from the trail. I was happiest with the series of check-steps we built. When I saw them last the fill was mucky and water was still seeping through them. Now the fines have been washed out leaving a solid gravel fill and the steps have the feel of concrete. I also checked out some of the work the Darrington crew did closer to the lake. They cleaned ditches and placed end-caps on some washed out turnpikes and began refilling them. I had a peaceful lunch by the lake all by myself. I ran into only two parties on my way out. I was in one of the happiest and most relaxed states I had been in for a while when I got back to the trailhead. I was dissapointed to find that even on a wet, sloppy day like this one someone still felt it was worth their while to break into my truck. The job was very professionally done. They pried out a door lock and rummaged through every storage compartment in my truck leaving them all open, but closing the door and putting the lock back before leaving. Apparently they found nothing to their liking -- they didn't take a thing. They left behind Mr. Pulaski, all my tapes (they have no taste whatsoever if they don't like Handel, the Blazers and Martha & the Muffins). They didn't even bother to try to pry loose the change out of my center console tray -- most of it is stuck in place by dried soda and BBQ sauce. Remember, don't leave anything valuable in your cars and maybe these people will just give up and go away. The les proffitable the crime is the less likely they'll do it. I would also like to note this is the first time in eight years of visiting the area (over 100 vistis I'm sure) that I've had my car broken into so don't let yourself be scared away. Keep hiking, but don't feed the criminals.

I had the pleasure of walking one of my favorite trails today with Laura and Ann, USFS botanists from the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest and Dawn and Bridgette, two trails specialists from the Darrington district. Together we scouted out the types and locations of two species of sensitive plants and studied ways to perform routine trail maintenance without harming them or their habitat. I'll be leading a work party on Lake 22 on Oct. 5. If you like this trail as much as I do now is your chance to work with us on it. It hasn't received much maintenance this year so there's plenty of plugged culverts, silted in drainage ditches and blown-out waterbars to work on.